BUSTING BASS ON BUGS
 Why
Tie Your Own
Editor's Note: Tom Schneider has fished with a fly
rod since 1988, and has guided fly-fishermen since 1992.
He guides primarily for saltwater stripers, hybrid-striped
bass, spotted bass and largemouth bass on Lay Lake.
But he also has access to some private ponds and guides
some small streams in Alabama.
Question: Tom, why did you start tying your own flies?
Answer: I started tying my first flies when I was trout
fishing and guiding in Boulder, Colorado. When I started
fishing Lay Lake, I decided I  needed
different types of flies to catch bass. I couldn't find
the kinds of flies I needed in fly-tying shops. The
reason I tie flies is to try and imitate the forage
on which the bass feed. I didn't find many bass flies
in the marketplace, except for the flies that are tied
by Dave Whitlock. Most of the quality flies are tied
for trout fishermen or saltwater fly-fishermen.
Question: On the day we fished together, you started
me fishing with the little black popper. Why did you
select that fly, on that day, for me to start fishing?
Answer: The day was cloudy, and on cloudy days, bass
will feed on the  surface.
I prefer dark-colored popping bugs when the day is overcast.
Anytime there are cloudy conditions, I fish with darker
flies. The tail of this fly is marabou, which I like
because the marabou tail has flash, and the slightest
twitch of the fly rod will make it move and cause a
great reaction.
Question: You also have a weed guard on this fly. Why
do you like to use a weed guard?
Answer: The weed guard makes the fly somewhat dummy-proof.
Regardless of where the fly lands, more than likely
you will not get grass on it.
Question: With this size fly, how big do you expect
the bass to be that you catch?
Answer: We have caught bass that weight up to 6 pounds
with this fly.
Question: Did you make this fly? 
Answer: No, this is an Umqua fly.
Question: What fly do you fish on bright sunny days?
Answer: I like either a white-and-red fly or a white-and-gray
fly, because these colors are the same colors as the
shad.
To learn more about how to catch bass with flies, or
to schedule a guided trip with Tom go to www.sunriseanglers.com;
call Tom at Sunrise Anglers at (205) 669-2110 or (205)
410-0964; or e-mail Tom at kingfisher@sunriseanglers.com.
TOMORROW: THE HEXAGENIA LIMBATA FLY
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